Safety for adult conscious sedation in dentristy

The care of adult patients requiring sedation for dentistry is a real challenge since they must obtain the same safety and quality standards expected in an operating room . Aim of this booklet has been to help anesthesiologists and dentists to practice conscious sedation through the systematic evaluation of the surgical and anesthetic risk obtained from the preoperative assessment with the use of validated clinical scales and scores.Emphasis is put on the physical examination , past history and therapies ,particularly when patients assume anticoagulants . Vital signs monitoring is discussed from the point of view of cost containment and portability for the traveling colleagues;availability of rescue equipment ,airways, oxygen, ,nitrous oxide ,emergency drugs is itemized . Pictures show examples of daily life problems and offer solutions . Debate concerning the practice and training of sedation is mentioned with adhererence to scientific guidelines and recommendations for postsedation discharge . Sedatives and analgesics to be used are summarized ;benzodiazepines ,propofol,dexmedetomidine ,opiates ,phenothiazines ,antidotes, their combinations and dosages are described . All data are referenced: opinions from the personal experience of the author are declared.